According to Banta frontwoman Sharaya Mikael, the third night of a residency is when people don’t come. For Banta’s residency at The Satellite, however, the masses turned out to #keepitfree with an evening of stellar music, and Lyynks Music provided some free beer. The Echo Park sextet captivated with a smooth sound that blended some of the most lovable aspects of indie pop and classic rock. To celebrate Presidents’ Day, Banta played a special cover of Neil Young’s “Rockin’ in the Free World,” after which Mikael apologized for not getting all the words. The crowd seemed too lost in the moment to have noticed any missing lyrics, though.

Caroline Smith set a groovy, seductive mood with her neo-soul sound that harkened back to the glory days of ’90s R&B. Smith and her band went meta with a cover of D’Angelo’s cover of Roberta Flack’s “Feel Like Makin’ Love” and an audience-pleasing medley of TLC, Aaliyah, Ginuwine, Blackstreet and Lauryn Hill.

For something completely different, but likewise impressive, Fakers sent eardrums a-ringing with a blistering set of noise rock. Apparently it was their third gig ever.

Sometimes, people just want more. Case in point: last night at The Troubadour, evening openers Dreaming Bull unleashed a blistering set of Delta blues and gospel-inspired rock at a special showcase[...]